Brain Eating Amoeba Kills A Woman In Texas

A woman in Texas died of brain eating amoeba when she tried to clean her nasal tract with tap water from an RV’s water system at a campground.

The US CDC claims that it is a rather rare infection caused by a free-living amoeba called Naegleria fowleri.

This microscopic organism caused Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) that infected a woman of 71 years and helped develop severe neurological symptoms like altered mental status, headache, and fever within 4 days.

The woman was under medical treatment but could not be saved. She died within 8 days, causing seizures.

What is Naegleria fowleri?

It is a single-celled amoeba that usually lives in warm freshwater, lakes, rivers, and poorly maintained swimming pools.

How risky is brain eating amoeba?

It is an extremely rare type of infection that has resulted in fewer than 200 cases in the US from 1962 to 2023, out of which only 4 survivors have been reported. In most of the cases, young boys get infected. It is due to their involvement in swimming and playing in mud.

Naegleria fowleri is not contagious. The infection occurs only when the amoeba enters unboiled water through the nose into the nasal tract.

What are the symptoms of PAM?

Symptoms like headache, fever, nausea, feeling disoriented, losing balance, and seizures are common during Naegleria fowleri infection. It is challenging to distinguish between bacterial and viral meningitis, as the symptoms are similar.

How to treat patients with PAM?

Receiving a prompt diagnosis is crucial for the survival of infected patients. The survival rate is extremely low; only 4 out of 164 reported cases survived in the US.

Amphotericin B is used as the primary drug, which, according to scientists, damages the amoeba’s outer layer.

How to avoid PAM infection?

• While diving in a swimming pool, use nose clips.
• Keep your head above the water.
• Use chlorine-treated water or boiled water only to rinse the nasal tract in public places.
• Clean your water storage tank at home quarterly or bi-yearly.